Wireless put-to-light system and method

Abstract

A wireless put-to-light order fulfillment system capable of being retrofitted and integrated into existing inventory management databases. In an exemplary embodiment, alert devices are placed on job order totes, and each alert device is associated with the host system's database software using an alert interface software. The lights on the job order totes inform pickers where to put the recently picked inventory item, reducing job errors and increasing picking efficiency.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 351,997, filed Jun. 7, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a system and method for adding a wireless put-to-light directional system to an existing system for picking items from a warehouse, or other similar activity, and the practice of a method of such.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Typical picking systems and methods seek to become more efficient by optimizing the number of picks that can be made in a certain period of time, while limiting the number of errors when making those picks. This leads to a maximum level of efficiency that can exist without improving the picking system itself. There are physical limits to the efficiency that can exist; a human picker can only handle a small number of different jobs at one time, and can only move so fast along rows of inven...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless put-to-light order fulfillment system that can be retrofitted and integrated into existing inventory management databases. In an exemplary embodiment, alert devices are placed on job order totes, and each alert device is associated with the host system's database software using an alert interface software. The lights on the job order totes inform pickers where to put the recently picked inventory item, reducing job errors and increasing picking efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

It is important to note that physical limitations place constraints on how efficient a warehouse picking and order filling system can be.

An optimal number of pickers can be reached before the warehouse is too full, the pickers can only reach an optimal speed before they are traveling too fast for safety reasons, and the pickers can only realistically carry a limited number of job totes with them at a time before they become confused.

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